Flying Dog Announces Distribution Changes

FREDERICK, MD – Flying Dog Brewery announced this week that they would be pulling distribution from 13 states.

Among the states not making the final cut are Oregon and Washington, both major craft beer markets saturated with northwest craft brews.

Jim Caruso, Flying Dog’s CEO explained the decision to pull out of the 13 states.

“We are pretty much a regional brewery based in Maryland and our primary focus would be the contiguous states around it,” he said. “We are also trying to focus not just on certain geographic territories, but we are trying to build up the hoppy segment of our portfolio and we are looking at where those beers are doing really well.”

There was no singular reason why Caruso decided to pull out each of these markets (the full list can be seen below).

“It is fairly complex,” he said. “Shipping logistics, areas that are doing less than full trucks, volume – there are a number of variables we considered when we made the decision.”

A market like Alaska, which Caruso explained does low volume and is difficult to ship product to was an easy decision. Other markets were difficult to leave.

“Like so many other breweries, we to are looking at expansion opportunities,” said Caruso. “That is why I am not describing this like discontinuing shipping to those states forever. Its based on a lot of factors and for the summer months we can’t afford to be short on beer in our own backyard, that would be pretty embarrassing.”

Flying Dog will still be available in 33 states and is projecting over 80,000 barrels produced for public consumption this year. Company sales nationwide are up 48% overall for the year and up 72% in local markets.